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Copyright © 2024 Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation

​​​​​​​​​​T​he safety of our communities is our top priority. Tenants have the right to be safe in their neighbourhoods.

Always call 911 in an emergency.​

Contact the Community Safety Unit at 416-921-2323 to report noise disturbances, loitering, or trespassing.

Safety in your community

​To create a healthy and safe community, residents should be mindful of the following standards:

  • We (staff and tenants) treat one another with respect and courtesy and value the diversity in our communities.
  • We promote peaceful, healthy and safe communities.
  • We are responsible for our actions and the actions of our children, family members, guests, visitors and pets.
  • We respect all property in our communitie​s, including rental units, personal property, common spaces and offices.
  • We respect and uphold Toronto Seniors Housing policies, lease agreements, and all laws.

If you see or are a victim of anti-social behaviour, please call the Community Safety Unit at 416-921-2323. Examples of anti-social behaviour include criminal activity, drug activity, intentional damage to property, public intoxication, trespassing/loitering, smoking in a building common area, unlawful parking, unsafe acts (for example, climbing on buildings or parking structures, firework use, cooking on an open flame in a building/balcony), suspicious behaviour (for example, prowling near a residence, looking in vehicle windows, taking photographs at playgrounds or pools), starting fires or pulling fire ala​rm when there is no fire, excessive noise, illegal dumping of trash, disrespecting people with disruptive or verbally abusive behaviour and not leashing your dog or when an animal attacks.

The Community Safety Unit and Regional Manager will follow up on anti-social behaviour complaints.

Residents who engage in anti-social beha​vio​ur will get formal warnings. In the most severe cases, they could face eviction through the Landlord and Tenant Board. We will also involve the police or other agencies as needed.

Safety in your development

To keep you and your building safe:

  • Do not prop entrances and doors open. When you do, you put everyone in the building at risk.
  • Keep all hallways clear. It is a fire hazard if you don’t. Keeping hallways clear helps prevent trips and falls. It makes it easier to keep floors and carpets clean, and for emergency workers to get to you quickly.
  • Look into elevators before getting on. If there is someone already in the elevator who makes you uncomfortable, wait for the next one.
  • Keep all doors to your home closed and locked.
  • When using the entry system, be sure you know the person calling before you let them into the building.
  • Do not let salespeople or others you don’t know into the building.
  • Do not give copies of your unit key or fob to anyone who doesn’t live with you.
  • If you lose your keys or fob, let your Superintendent know right away.
  • If you are going to be away for a long time, let your Superintendent know.
  • Tenants who pay rent-geared-to-income who leave their units vacant for more than 90 days risk losing their subsidy.
  • Do not leave young children home alone.
  • Let your Superintendent know:
    • If you see light bulbs that are burnt out in and around your building.
    • If there are areas that require snow and ice removal.
    • ​If you see trees, shrubs and hedges that need pruning.

Self-ID process

Emergencies can happen suddenly and without warning; it is important that you have a plan in place.

Do you or a member of your household identify as needing extra help during an emergency at your building? We encourage you to take part in the self-ID process by filling out the updated Emergency Contact and Special Assistance Information form.

This process allows tenants who experience barriers to accessibility to identify themselves to Toronto Seniors Housing in order to make sure they are safe during an emergency through evacuation help or wellness checks.

This process is completely voluntary and confidential, and it also keeps you safe.

The updated form is included in the Annual Review package for every tenant, but you are encouraged to fill out a copy as soon as possible.

What do I do with the form?

Please give completed forms to your superintendent, or send them back to your Seniors Services Coordinator if you received one through the Annual Review process.

Resources

Questions?

If you have any questions about the process, please contact your building superintendent or call the Tenant Support Centre at 416-945-0800.

Safety Tips

Window Safety

Window safety

Window locks and other safety devices are there to keep you safe.

Window locks are used in apartment buildings to protect people and pets from falling through window screens. Windows can be opened 4 inches (or about 10 centimetres) to let in fresh air while keeping you safe.

Window screens are designed to keep insects out of your unit but are not strong enough to prevent children or pets from falling through them.

Never damage, tamper with or remove window locks or screens in your home.

Remember​

  • Missing locks or screens can lead to falls, causing serious injuries or death.
  • Tampering with window locks or screens puts your safety at risk and violates the terms of your lease. It could lead to eviction. You will also be charged for the repairs.

What if my window lock or screen needs repair?
Report any window locks or screens that need repair by talking to your superintendent or by contacting the Tenant Support Centre at support@torontoseniorshousing.ca or 416-945-0800.

Fireworks

Fireworks

The use of fireworks is prohibited on Toronto Seniors Housing property, at all times. Although beautiful to watch, fireworks are dangerous to children, adults and pets. They can cause fires and damage homes. They can also cause serious injuries such as burns, cuts, and blindness.To find public fireworks displays that are held across the city, call the city at 311.

Parking Areas

Parking Areas

If you see anyone trying to follow you into the underground garage or surface parking lot, or anything that makes you nervous, stay in your car and honk or drive away and return at a later time. Report your concern to the Community Safety Unit.

Avoid listening to music while walking to your car or on the street so that you can hear what is happening around you.

  • If you have a bicycle, register it with the police. Use a good quality lock. Lock your bike to some object that cannot be cut or broken.
  • If your bicycle doesn’t have a serial number, engrave a number on the frame and wheels so you can identify your bicycle if it is stolen.
  • Always keep your car locked, when using it and when it’s parked.
  • Do not leave valuables in your car.
  • Look inside and under your car before getting in.
  • If you have car trouble, open the hood, lock yourself in the car and wait for the police or tow truck. Do not open the door to anyone you don’t know.

Power Failures

​​Power Failures

Each building is different. Some buildings have emergency generators and some do not. To report a power failure in your building:

  • Call Toronto Hydro at 416-542-8000.​
  • Call the Tenant Support Centre at 416-945-0800.​

If a power failure is expected to last more than three hours, staff will post notices and visit units to share information and make sure resident needs are met. Learn more about preparing for emergencies​.

To learn more about preparing for power failures, visit the Toronto Hydro website​.

Summer Safety Tips

Summer Safety Tips

We want you to beat the heat this summer, but there are a few things to remember to stay cool and stay safe.

Window ​air conditioners are only allowed if they are contained within a balcony.

Fan and air conditioner tips

  • Be aware that fans do not cool the air; they just move air around. Don’t use a fan to blow hot or warm air on yourself (this can cause heat illness to happen faster.)
  • If you have air conditioning, at night, when the air is cooler, turn off your unit and open your windows. This will let the hot air escape and move cooler air in.
  • Please use your air conditioner considerately. Overuse can cause a power outage in your building.

More tips

  • Take cool showers or baths, or mist yourself with cool water.
  • Drink lots of cold fluids, especially water, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
  • Close your blinds and curtains to block out the sun during the day.
  • Avoid using your oven to cook meals, as this can make your home hotter.
  • If possible, do most of your cooking at night when the air is cooler.

Learn more

Go to the City of Toronto’s Health site for more information on keeping cool and staying safe while beating the summer heat. Visit the City of Toronto’s website for a list of cooling stations to find the nearest one to you.

Extension Cords and Fire Safety

Extension Cords and Fire Safety

Fires can start from using the wrong extension cord or by overloading the plugs with an air conditioner or fan.

Always:

  • Use a Canadian Standards Associations (CSA) or Underwriters Label (UA) cord that can carry the power load of your air conditioner or fan.
  • Use a CSA-approved power bar with a built-in circuit breaker.
  • Keep cords away from any heat source.
  • Always plug your air conditioner or fan into a three-prong outlet, cord or power bar.

Never:

  • Use a damaged or two-prong extension cord.
  • Keep appliances or home electronics running when not in use.

Winter Safety Tips

Winter Safety Tips

As temperatures dip below zero, here are some tips to stay warm and safe this winter. 

You can also view the City of Toronto’s Extreme Cold Weather Alert page for more safety tips.

If you use space heaters:

  • Space heaters and extension cords must have a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) label.
  • Keep all heaters at least 1 metre (3 feet) away from anything flammable such as paper, drapes, loose clothes, furniture, bedding and wallpaper.
  • Never place clothes on a heater to dry.
  • Avoid leaving heaters on when you leave the house or go to bed.
  • Keep children well away from heaters.

How to prevent a radiator from bursting in your unit​

As temperatures dip below zero, here are some ways you can prevent a radiator from bursting in your unit.

Radiators bring heat into your unit to help you stay warm on cold winter days. But, extreme cold weather can cause your radiator to burst. This can cause damage to your home and your neighbours’ homes and may cause flooding as well.

Here are some things you can do to prevent a radiator from bursting:

  • Do not leave your windows open for longer than one hour. Cold air can cause water to freeze inside a radiator and cause it to burst.
  • Make sure your radiator is not colder at the top than the bottom. This happens when there is trapped air. You will need to talk to your Superintendent or call 416-945-0800 to arrange to have the air released.
  • Make sure your furniture is at least 15 cm away from the radiator. If your radiator is blocked by furniture or heavy curtains, warm air will not properly spread through and heat your unit.
  • Most importantly, never adjust the radiator by yourself. If you find your unit too cold or too warm, talk to your Superintendent or call the Tenant Support Centre at 416-945-0800.

If your radiator bursts, please call 416-945-0800 right away.

Weather warnings and updates

Keep informed – check the weather report before you go outside. 

    Emergency numbers

    • Toronto Hydro Power Disruption Hotline: 416-542-8000
    • Enbridge Gas Distribution Emergency Number: 1-866-763-5427
      • ALWAYS call to report possible gas leaks (smell of rotten eggs)​

    Non-emergency phone numbers

    • Fire: 416-338-9000
    • Police: 416-808-2222

    Additional resources 

    These sites offer more information and tips on how to prepare for and deal with emergencies: 

    Balcony Safety

    Balcony Safety

    Never use your balcony for storage. This is a fire hazard. You will be asked to clean it up if you do.

    Secure loose belongings on your balcony as they may be tossed around by the wind and can cause injury.

    Candle Safety

    Candle Safety

    If you use candles:

    • Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach.
    • Always stand candles in stable, non-tip candle holders before you light them.
    • Keep candles away from flammable decorations and displays.
    • Never leave burning candles unattended or in reach of pets or small children.
    • Put out candles by wetting the wicks before you leave a room or before going to sleep.